Every culture hears and tells stories, and there are many estimates of how long stories have been used to impart information and knowledge both orally and visually – many ancient cave paintings are believed to be telling stories.
The story of Budj Bim is a good example of this. It could be the oldest story ever told!
In Australia, the Gunditjmara people talk of how their land was formed. The story goes that a giant crouched down one day and took the shape of a volcano, Budj Bim. It then erupted to create the land of the coastal wetlands in South Australia where their tribe still lives today.
According to science and archaeology, Budj Bim and another volcano formed through a series of eruptions... about 37,000 years ago![2] And there is evidence of life from 40,000 years ago.[3]
The story has been told for thousands of years and is still very much alive today.
Listening to a good story might captivate your child right away, and it may even make them want to share it with others.
This is why stories help us connect with other people and we can begin to form relationships through our stories.
When children hear other people's stories, it helps them learn how to tell their own.
A child's storytelling usually starts when they combine memories of several events to form one muddled story. However, as their language skills and memory improve, they become more familiar with the process of telling stories, making it possible for them to recall facts and tell more accurate tales.
They then start to remember details and become more able to expand on stories they have heard, recall events, or talk about a game they have loved.
You might soon discover your child chatting about family memories that, thanks to the stories they've heard at home, will eventually pass down through your family's generations.
Over time, you might start to hear your child telling stories using the rhythm and intonation of the person who told them, and incorporating melodies may become a natural part of their storytelling skills.
Retelling experiences through stories has been part of how we make history since time began. Take some time to carry on the tradition with your child and enjoy listening to some of theirs... they may become part of your family history over time!
References:
[1] Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: Children's Integrated Therapies. Telling stories (2021). Available online at: Telling stories - Children’s Integrated Therapies (oxfordhealth.nhs.uk)
[2] Barras, C. (2020) Is an Aboriginal tale of an ancient volcano the oldest story ever told? American Association for the Advancement of Science. Available online at:Is an Aboriginal tale of an ancient volcano the oldest story ever told? | Science | AAAS
[3] Earthdate. The Oldest Story Ever Told: Episode number ED-171. Available online at: The Oldest Story Ever Told | EarthDate